Archaeologists worry new roads could damage pyramids
The construction of two highways near the ruins of the ancient city of Memphis has alarmed archaeologists, who fear that traffic on the new roads will damage the archaeological treasures in the area and expose them to theft.
Work is in full swing for the construction of two motorways near the ruins of the ancient city of Memphis, the capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt. The new roads are part of an infrastructure plan to develop the area around the Giza Plateau in Giza ahead of the much anticipated inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2021.
One of the roads will cross the desert south of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only survivor of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The other route will pass between the limestone step pyramid of Djoser and the Dahshur area south of Cairo.
The highways will cross close to Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt, alarming archaeologists, who fear that traffic on the new roads will cause damage to archaeological treasures in the area and make them vulnerable to theft.
Speaking to Al-Monitor, a former archaeologist said the road near the Pyramid Plateau will bring congestion and pollution and harm to archaeological sites in the area.
